Lakes In West Texas

Updated on July 20, 2015

Devil's Waterhole at Ink's Lake State Park | Source

Texas Lakes

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is a rich source of information from fishing to boating and water sports. Under the management of TPWD Texas waters are healthy habitats for a variety of fish and wildlife. Due to drought conditions during the late 1990s and early 2000s golden alga blooms caused the death of massive species of fish, clams and mussels. This golden alga outbreak caused widespread economic hardship in the tourist and fishing industry. However, under TWPD management most lakes have tested with minimum levels of golden alga and small patches of toxicity since early 2009. Today most Texas lakes are completely healthy and safe for recreational and fishing activities.

Lake Balmorhea Scuba Diving at Travel Texas.png

Recreation area

Bird in Lake Balmorhea

Lake Balmorhea hitchesunlimited.com/blog

Lake Balmorhea

Lake Balmorhea is located 2 miles southeast of Balmorhea in Reeves County. The lake has a surface area of 556 acres with a maximum depth of 25 feet. Lake Balmorhea is usually stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and channel catfish. Lake Balmorhea has been severely impacted by toxic golden alga blooms. Fishing is recommended until conditions improve and the lake has been restocked. Anglers follow state regulations for fishing licenses. The the Inland Fisheries office in San Angelo will have the latest information.

Lake Amistad

Lake Amistad

Lake Amistad

Belton Lake | Source

Lake Amistad

Lake Amistad is located on the Rio Grande, 12 miles northwest of Del Rio in Val Verde County. The lake has a surface area of 64,900 acres with a maximum depth of 217 feet. Recreational fishermen will find the lake stocked with largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, white and striped bass. Because the lake borders Texas and Mexico fishing licenses must be held by everyone on the boat while fishing in Mexican waters. Texas waters are governed by Texas state laws. Mexico fishing licenses may be obtained in Del Rio at Amistad Marine (Highway 90 West, 830/775-0878) or Fisherman's Headquarters (Chevron at the intersection of of 90 & 277 N, 830/774-5670).

Red Bluff Reservoir @orlatexaswindfarms.com

Red Bluff Reservoir

Red Bluff Lake

Red Bluff Reservoir

Red Bluff Reservoir is located on the Pecos river, 40 miles north of Pecos, Texas in Loving and Reeves Counties. Turn east at the Historical Marker on US 285. The lake has a surface area of 11, 193 acres and a maximum depth of 77 feet. Fishing is managed by Texas state regulations and fishing licensing is required. Fishing is not recommended at this lake due to Golden alga fish kills which have eliminated most fish populations in Red Bluff Reservoir. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will rebuild the fisheries when the problem subsides. The lake is usually populated by white and striped bass. The Inland Fisheries office in San Angelo will have the latest information.

Twin Buttes Alex Rakune @ Flickr

Twin Buttes Fishing, Texas Fishing Forum

Twin Buttes Reservoir

Twin Buttes Reservoir is located west of San Angelo in Tom Green County on the Middle and South Concho Rivers. The lake surface area is 9,080 acres with a maximum depth of 46 feet. The lake is fairly clear and populated with largemouth bass, white bass, white crappie, channel, flathead and blue catfish. Twin Buttes has made a significant recovery from the prolonged drought during the late 1990s. Water levels have increased and fishing is good. Anglers looking for largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish will find fishing is good. White bass fishing is excellent according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Texas fishing license is required. The Inland Fisheries office in San Angelo will have the latest information.

Lake Nasworthy Power Station

Lake Nasworthy mypix and fix.gosanangelo.net

Lake Nasworthy

Lake Nasworthy is located on the southwest side of San Angelo in Tom Green County. The lake has a surface area of 1,380 acres with a maximum depth of 29 feet. The lake water is slightly stained and populated with largemouth bass, white bass, striped bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and white crappie. Catfish and white bass fishing is good while crappie and largemouth bass fishing is good most of the time. Hybrid striped bass must be restocked periodically and fishing is fair. Red drum are not stocked in this lake. Lake Nasworthy is a shallow old reservoir. Texas fishing license is required to fish this lake.

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Comments 13 comments

Chauncey St Clair 2 years ago from New York City

It was great to read this article. I'm originally from El Paso and always looking for West Texas getaways that I can take from El Paso. I would have never thought about lakes in West Texas, but this has given me ideas. The article would be even better if you included maps of where in west Texas these are, I can do a Bing search--but wanted to be helpful.

David 3 years ago

Wow!!Wonderful Pictures!You are Christian? because I'm chiastirnI go to a Christian church here in Argentina, is BaptistIt's amazing meet people chiastirn there.Well goodbye, blessings!Chau!

Manoj 3 years ago

MC - I like the stonework entrcnae to the house and the clean cut to the house. It looks very professionally done. This home should create a lot of good living and happy memories. Congratulations!September 20, 2011 7:42 pm

Smireles 4 years ago from Texas Author

Thanks, sgbrown. Appreciate you reading and commenting.

sgbrown 4 years ago from Southern Oklahoma

Beautiful lake! I am not familiar with this area. I am originally from El Paso, Texas. We would go to the lake Elephant Butte, just across the New Mexico border. I do live in Oklahome now and have beautiful lakes near by. Great hub! Voted up and interesting! Have a great day! :)

Micky Dee 5 years ago

Very nice as always!

Smireles 6 years ago from Texas Author

Thank you, Sa`ge! I am trying to get myself together to do another on the Hill Country lakes!

Sa`ge 6 years ago from Barefoot Island

Great hub Smireles, I been to Lake Amistad when I used to live in Texas. I used to live in S.A. and Houston for quiet a few years. My late husband was from S.A. Thank you for these beautiful pictures and such vivid discriptions and great info. Voted up, go girl! :D

Smireles 6 years ago from Texas Author

Thanks primpo and bayoulady for stopping by. I thought I would venture into new territory with this one. The golden algae problem seems to be mostly behind us so it will take some time to restock some of the lakes. Thanks again and come by anytime.

bayoulady 6 years ago from Northern Louisiana,USA

Loved the pictures! Lake Amistad, with it's beautiful bluffs is amazing. good also that you provided fishing information. rate up!

primpo 6 years ago from Ocean County New Jersey

beautiful lake, its horrible about the algae.

Smireles 6 years ago from Texas Author

I do not know about the golden algae. I will find out. Thanks, Tom.

Tom Whitworth 6 years ago from Moundsville, WV

Smireles,

What's the problem with all the golden algae? The lakes sound beautiful but the algae problem seems to be threatening many of the lakes.